Burrow amid the blooms at Lyman Orchards this weekend

Christina Hennessy

Updated 6:16 pm, Friday, August 1, 2014

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn., will debut this year's sunflower maze on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, and they are hoping for a few good trekkers to check it out. It is part of a day of festivities that include special guests, including PBS Kids Daniel Tiger. The maze continues daily through Aug. 24, 2014.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn., will debut this year's...

This year's sunflower maze at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn., will be designed like a bookworm.
Photo: Contributed Photo

This year's sunflower maze at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn.,...

Getting a better look: Some previous maze participants enjoy the sunflower maze at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn. This year's maze will open in Aug. 2, 2014.
Photo: Contributed Photo

Getting a better look: Some previous maze participants enjoy the...

Daniel Tiger is the star of ìDaniel Tigerís Neighborhood,î an animated PBS Kids series from the Fred Rogers Company that airs on CPTV weekdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. He will be at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Conn., on Aug. 2, 2014 to help kick off the opening of this year's sunflower maze and to meet and greet fans.
Photo: Contributed Photo

As far as bookworms go, the one that recently appeared at Lyman Orchards is relatively massive. But for the next month or so, it appears it will be content to keep its nose firmly entrenched in the latest read, despite the many who likely will be paying it a visit.

The bespectacled creature is the latest design in the orchards' annual sunflower maze, which will open on Saturday, Aug. 2, at this Middlefield institution. In years past, visitors have flocked to the site for all manner of themes, including a roller coaster, pirate ship, turtle and butterfly.

"The first year was a rousing success," said Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President John Lyman. "So we have kept it going ever since."

Lyman, who is an eighth generation family member, said this year's design has made it a natural fit for collaborations with local libraries and reading groups, with events planned throughout August.

"Hopefully, it will get kids really interested in reading," Lyman said, adding that there are several events planned to foster that connection, including story times and author meet-and-greets.

There will be special guests as well this weekend, beginning with PBS Kids Daniel Tiger, who will visit on Sunday, Aug. 3, as part of CPTV Kids Day. Visitors may meet and take photos with the star of the animated "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," which airs on CPTV on weekdays. Opening day also will feature local author and Durham resident Heather McCutchen.

As part of a collaboration with Read to Grow, a Branford-based nonprofit, visitors are encouraged to donate a new or gently used books for the group's work in promoting early literacy. As a bonus, one can get a discount on admission.

Later in the month, the real estate company

RE/MAX will be offering hot air balloon rides, if the weather is right, on Aug. 9 and 10, and PBS Kids' Mr. Steve of SteveSongs, will perform on Aug. 17.

Every year, the maze also helps to raise funds for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, with a donation of a $1 from every admission. Nearly $45,000 has been raised for the center's the Pediatric Cancer Unit since 2007. And it is the kids from the center who help get the process rolling when it comes to the maze. As in years past, they offer up several ideas that go up before the orchard customers for a vote on Lyman Orchards' Facebook page.

This year when it opens, the 2014 Bookworm will have been carved out of three acres of land, and boast more than 350,000 sunflowers of multiple colors, including yellow, red, orange and purple hues.

Lyman said the "sea of sunflowers" is an inspiring sight in its own right, but the real fun is walking amid the towering blooms.

"You have the birds and the butterflies ... and the views of the orchards in the back, and the breezes of the country," he said, adding that there is fun and informative trivia along the way.

While the maze is there for the exploring, there will be other events held during the next month including events like a Peach Fest and car show (find the full schedule on the orchards' website). Lyman said he hopes families make a day of their visit, checking out the maze, picking some fruit in season, enjoying the Apple Barrel market or just sitting back to enjoy the view of the more than 1,000-acre property.

The farm has been owned and operated by the Lyman family for the past 273 years, and, in turn, served generations of families who have made a trek to the site. "I now see people bringing their kids back to share what they remember as kids, and that's really exciting," Lyman said. "They tell me it brings back a lot of memories."